Earthquakes Launch Youth Academy

The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that they have officially launched the Earthquakes Youth Academy, which will field a pair of academy teams beginning the summer of 2010. For its first season, the Earthquakes Academy will establish squads at the Under-16 and Under-18 levels under the U.S. Soccer Development Academy system. The launch of the Earthquakes Youth Academy continues ownership’s commitment to improving all areas of the organization.

The academy will be overseen by Doyle as well as Earthquakes coaches and staff and will use the new “Nutrilite Training Center” as its home base.

"The Academy is something that has been in the works for a long time now and it is very rewarding to see the plans finally coming to fruition," Earthquakes general manager John Doyle said. "The Earthquakes Academy is an awesome opportunity for youth in the Bay Area to train in a professional environment and reach their full potential as soccer players."

Fred Wilson, the current general manager of Mustang Soccer in Danville, Calif., will take over as the Academy Director of Administration and Travel. The Quakes have tabbed a pair of former professional players to serve as head coaches, Carl Edwards for the U-18 squad and Cris Gilmore for the U-16s. Patrick Uriz and Joe Owen will be assistant coaches for the respective teams.

"I think it's great for the Earthquakes and it's great for the youth environment," Wilson said. "The Academy creates a quality, professional place for the Bay Area's youth to train. I think it's an exciting opportunity for any aspiring, young Bay Area athlete to learn where the professionals do because there's that carrot at the end of the stick, something for them to aspire to."

The Earthquakes Academy aims to develop the best soccer talent in the Bay Area in the same regard as youth playing professionally overseas. Players selected to play will practice four times each week at the Nutrilite Training Center under the watchful eye of San Jose Head Coach Frank Yallop as well as assistants Ian Russell, Mark Watson and Jason Batty.

The inaugural Earthquakes Academy season will run from September of 2010 through July of 2011. League matches will be played against teams as close as De Anza and as far away as Seattle and Los Angeles. Additionally, the team will play in tournaments to fill up a 30 game schedule.

The Earthquakes will fully fund all team-related expenses for a total of 44 players in the Earthquakes Youth Academy pool - 22 apiece between the U-16 and U-18 levels.